Citizens fight pay raise for PA officials
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| Also listed in: "Build the Party" | Lackawanna County Democrats | PA CDA - University of Scranton Chapter |
Posted by: Tony Phyrillas | 11/26/2008 2:10 PM
A citizens' group that led the fight to repeal the 2005 legislative pay raise is demanding Pennsylvania officials suspend their annual COLA increase.
RockTheCapital.org says the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for legislators, members of the Rendell administration and judges is a "stealth" pay raise.
The base salary of a Pennsylvania lawmaker goes up to $78,315 on Dec. 1. Legislative leaders earn more. For example, the Senate Pro Tempore would earn $118,095 after the COLA kicks in.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are already among the highest paid in the nation. They attempted to pull off a middle-of-the-night pay raise in July 2005, but public pressure forced the Legislature to repeal the pay raise a few months later.
From Eric Epstein, coordinator of RockTheCapital.org:
"At a time when working class families are getting clobbered, the political class is making plans to jet to New York City and whine and dine in the lap of luxury. Those in the 'no whine zone' are prospering. Speaker McCall will be making $122,000, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille will be hauling in $192,000. Rank-and-file lawmakers will have to get by on $78,300 with per diems, a state car, and full benefits."
Epstein said the Dec. 1 pay raise is particularly galling because Pennsylvania elected officials have done such a poor job of managing state revenues.
"No one should be rewarded for creating a $500 million deficit," Epstein said. "Taking a COLA this year is like stealing your children's savings' bonds."
RockTheCapital.org, one of several citizen reform groups that fought to repeal the 2005 middle-of-the-night pay raise, believes that a nonpartisan and independent compensation commission should determine future pay adjustments for elected and appointed officials.
"State government is a publicly held corporation with by-laws that specifically exclude COLAS (Article III, Section VIII)," Epstein said. "If lawmakers want a bonus plan then they need to submit a proposal to taxpayers for ratification."
For more on the group's reform agenda, visit www.RockTheCapital.org
A citizens' group that led the fight to repeal the 2005 legislative pay raise is demanding Pennsylvania officials suspend their annual COLA increase.
RockTheCapital.org says the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for legislators, members of the Rendell administration and judges is a "stealth" pay raise.
The base salary of a Pennsylvania lawmaker goes up to $78,315 on Dec. 1. Legislative leaders earn more. For example, the Senate Pro Tempore would earn $118,095 after the COLA kicks in.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are already among the highest paid in the nation. They attempted to pull off a middle-of-the-night pay raise in July 2005, but public pressure forced the Legislature to repeal the pay raise a few months later.
From Eric Epstein, coordinator of RockTheCapital.org:
"At a time when working class families are getting clobbered, the political class is making plans to jet to New York City and whine and dine in the lap of luxury. Those in the 'no whine zone' are prospering. Speaker McCall will be making $122,000, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille will be hauling in $192,000. Rank-and-file lawmakers will have to get by on $78,300 with per diems, a state car, and full benefits."
Epstein said the Dec. 1 pay raise is particularly galling because Pennsylvania elected officials have done such a poor job of managing state revenues.
"No one should be rewarded for creating a $500 million deficit," Epstein said. "Taking a COLA this year is like stealing your children's savings' bonds."
RockTheCapital.org, one of several citizen reform groups that fought to repeal the 2005 middle-of-the-night pay raise, believes that a nonpartisan and independent compensation commission should determine future pay adjustments for elected and appointed officials.
"State government is a publicly held corporation with by-laws that specifically exclude COLAS (Article III, Section VIII)," Epstein said. "If lawmakers want a bonus plan then they need to submit a proposal to taxpayers for ratification."
For more on the group's reform agenda, visit www.RockTheCapital.org
How stupid is that ?
If 10% reaches the consumer we will be lucky. The other 90% will go into the corporate coffers and executive perks.
what if the money had gone straight to the consumers. The 80% who aren't wealthy ?
$5 trillion in bailout monies had been given to citizens then
$5 trillion / 80 million households = $62,500 per household.
this would have stimulated the economy...
It's time to take back control of our government. Boycott and end the insanity of government which has stopped listening to the will of the people.
It's time to boycott to move congress. Tell your representative you are boycotting for change. You are not supporting an economy lead by a corrupt government.
Stop spending on all purchases such as :
--travel,
--cars, furniture and appliance purchases
--trivial entertainment and jewelery
--any electronic gizmos
Put off those purchases until we get back control. Use cash instead of credit cards when purchases are needed.
If 25% of the population slows down spending for the next 6 months, change will happen.
We know the impact of a spending slowdown, it's time to put it to work in our favor.
BOYCOTT NOW. It's easy, anonymous and effective.